Ruth O’Brien: Lullabies, Twisted Dreams and Perspectives

Posted on 28 September, 2018

Ruth O’Brien channels the sounds of Canberra through her collaboration with and celebration of local artists and producers.

Her newest EP, Invaluable, incorporates four years of Ruth’s life experiences and a lifetime of wisdom and artistic knowledge to create a sound that is all at once distinctively ‘Ruth’ whilst evoking hints of other Australian icons like Sia and Courtney Barnett.

Invaluable is truly an album of its time and its creator. It draws from themes that are both personal and societal, adding to the wide relevance of the album on both a micro and macro level.

“The songs Invaluable and Land With No Mirrors revolve around social media and our obsession with individuality,” explains Ruth. “Lullaby… My Twisted Dreams explores grief and the dreams that I had after losing my mum. It’s quite a haunting song but it’s also one people can relate to through the themes of their lives.

“The last song, Perspective, speaks about different points of view based on different upbringings and personal circumstances. There is certainly a sound to the album and an undercurrent of the same production sound throughout the whole album.”

Ruth’s music evokes personal strength through her willingness to be vulnerable and exposed as she expresses deeply personal themes and narratives.

“Being vulnerable is something I’ve learnt how to do over time. As an artist, you have to become comfortable with that,” she says. “You have to wear your heart on your sleeve, even if abstractly.”

“A part of me really tries to separate myself from the experiences when writing but I want to retain a personal insight into the subject. I try to think about the song objectively through a structured song crafting process.”

“We connect with vulnerability really well. When you put yourself out there people appreciate your authenticity. You need to trust in that and draw motivation from that.”

Invaluable was made over a four year period in which Ruth saw the direction of the EP diverted by significant life events. The passing of her mother in July 2015 plays out through her lyrical narratives and is integral to the conceptual direction of the album.

“The songs that I’d written originally for the EP didn’t really seem significant anymore in the way that I related to them. So the songs that I’ve chosen each pinpoint a place in my life in the last four years, either a milestone, realisation or a significant part of my life.”

Ruth’s personal journey of advocating for people with disabilities also translates artistically in the EP.

“I have a disability and over the course of this year, I’ve become more comfortable talking about that side of my life,” she explains. “I feel like I can speak for people who don’t have that ability yet.

“I found growing up that people would stare at me and if I can control why they are staring at me, that’s empowering. I think that a lot of people, especially with physical disabilities, can relate to that feeling.”

“[The song] Perspective came from a feeling of being underestimated in life and how people perceive what I can do. I want to show that people living with disabilities, whilst perceived as ‘underdogs’, are just as important and just as skilled as other people.

Recorded in Canberra by local musicians and engineers, Ruth opted for a more local sound on Invaluable, despite the tempting resources and artistic networks of larger cities like Melbourne or Sydney.

“There was certainly the idea to go interstate, but I’m very passionate about the Canberra arts scene so I wanted to help give local artists and professionals here a chance to work on something here in Canberra.”

Ruth’s whole career encompasses this philosophy. She is the brains behind creative business and networking groups Mary Violet Creative and Music Industry Canberra. It’s Ruth’s initiative to start groups like these alongside her own creative pursuits that make her a truly invaluable member of our community. Now it’s time for Ruth to be celebrated herself.

the essentials

What: Ruth O’Brien Invaluable EP launch
When: 2 – 4 pm 30 September 2018
Where: Ainslie Arts Centre: Ainslie Main Hall
More information: agac.com.au/event/ruth-obrien-invaluable-ep-launch
Website: ruthmvobrien.com

Feature image: Juliette Dudley. Image via facebook.com/Ruthobrienmusic